Ravi Ratnayeke was a handy medium pacer, who could generate swing at a decent pace. As the years went by, he also developed as a batsman and went on to open the batting for his country.

Ratnayeke made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in 1982. Even though, he didn't take too many wickets, he impressed cricket pundits by bowling with untiring stamina on flat decks.

It was in the series against New Zealand in 1984 that finally Ratnayeke's blood, sweat and toil bore fruit as he produced a five-for at Colombo (SSC). In the Test series held in Pakistan in 1985-86, Ratnayeke ran in with purpose in Sialkot and took a 8-for. It was perhaps the best bowling effort of his career.

In a surprise move, the Sri Lankan camp, then asked the left-hander to open the batting during their tour of India in 1985-86. However, with three fifties to his name, he stood up to India's attack rather well. He gave a good account of himself during Sri Lanka's short tour of Australia in 1987-88. However, at the age of 30 itself, Ratnayeke made his final international appearance in an ODI against Australia in Sharjah in 1990.